The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-04-13
Blaze HAVE. March 80, 1887.


BLACK HAWK, March 80, 1887.
Last Thursday was beautiful day
the air, cool, yet soft, and the rural
world in full blossom. Our little party
determined on the trip from Sidon, IN
Leflore county, on the Valley Road, to
old CarrolPs pride, Black Hawk, sixteen
miles away Boxes, bundles, grips and
satchels were slowed away beneath the
cushions, lunch baskets deposited, and,
amid the merriment of friends, we drove
off down the dirt road into the garden OF
the woods. How fast the old dirt-roads
are falling into oblivion! Steam and
iron rails are fast tresseling the lethean
pools through which they run. The old
stage coach and its signal horn is now
but a memory, in many parts OF our
State, and ere long they will be like our
old manners and customs, only tradi-
tionary.
Well, on we went-oyer bridges and
through branches and creeks, slowly, Tor
the road was heavy from recent rains.
Reaching the historic creek, of Abotala-
poota, lol there was no hridge-the foot
logs had gone on to the river below.
The waters, though falling and clear,
were still rushing madly over the pebbly
bottoms. All saw at once that the low
pitched vehicle could not ford the swol-
len stream without ruinous damage to
feet. cushions, band-boxes, ETC., to say
nothing of the risk of life and other un-
important, less essentials. Standing be-
meath the dogwood blossoms, within
sight of the May apples white blossoms,
council on waterways" was called.
The River and Harbor bill was discussed
to its fullest "obturity." Some thought
that Abotalapoota would get the benefit
of the bill; Others, who had seen the
Mississippi and Ohio rivers, thought not.
All agreed that if the water had been
let out, it would not have been thus, and
ioined in terrific Remuneration OF Mr.
Cleveland for pocketing the bill, and OF
the United States Senators for not pick
ing his pocket-which might easily have
been done when he pulled off his coat
to try that gymnastic pole which the
thoughtful DIR. Sewers insisted on put
ting in retired portion OF the White
House for the henefit of his acrobat
ship.
What could be done? Return was i'm
possible. A rabbit had run across the
road-two of them. That was not to be
thought of for a moment. 1t was not
desolate to think of sleeping beneath the
white May apple and the dogwood
blooms, while the wild birds sang the
requiem. All could choose sweet rest
ing place without paying the exhorbi-
tant prices which the marrow bed" costs
in the city cemeteries. But where was
the glory of drowning with nobody to
see it? Then a drowning would not
bring as much fame as hanging, In the
annals of to-day, when fame and notorl-
ety are SYNONYMOUS. If some of the
country folks around could be there to
witness the scene, it would be different
matter; it would be pleasant episode
| in their lives, another tradition for pos
terity and immortality for Abotalapoota ;
but, as it was, it would only be an OBJ
scure suicide, without even sentlmen-
| tai cause. Better marry an anarchist or
shoot somebody. Then, on, the odna-
| bo1es!"
q Whoa! Geel Git up dar, Billy
Tuckw and to the music OF a popping
whip large ox-wagon hove IN sign1.
Their bright smiles haunt me still, as
Uncle Charlie drove up, and sliding
from the broad wagon-tongue behind
Billy Tuck, asked, whats de matter
| darp
| After explanation, all waited for the
decision of the dark-hued commander OF
the great wagon and four yoke OF oxen.
"Well,'' said he, "I's gwine to ford IT.,
en- III taken the ladies along, ana de
gemman kin swim his trap.
"The ''gemman" did not take kindly
| to it, but there was no other way, ana
the precious baggage was transferred 10
the wagon and rested beyond all narm
on top of the corn. This was pleasing
and satisfactory to all.
Now came a struggle. How were we
to reach the same elevated position
Uncle Charlie spread the shawls over
the corn and told us to set right up
dar." After many trials and failures to
reach the goal, it was suggested that we
get upon the tongue and climb up that
way. But then, there were snow-whlte
BilIy Tuck and his great red partner,
with their long tails switching us away
like so many gnats. Their heels, too,
looked more dangerous than ten-lnch
columbiad. Uncle Charlie assured us
Billy Tuck would not kick 8 'thout he
wanted to- so, with hopeful hearts that
he would not want TO, we mounted the
tongue and scrambled up, while the
mighty tail was imprisoned In the DARK
strong hands Of our well-timed TREND.
There NAV be romance in riding from
the harvest field on load OF grain, but
tie circumstance loses Its sentimental
characteristic. when the corn begins to
roll on top with Abotaiapoota at the
bottom. -, -,
Uncle Charlie mounted Billy tuck
wb;te hack and as the waters grew
deener. there was a resemblance In tht
great white animal to the famous on'
which bore. Europa through the ciea
Mediterranean waters from her 1siant
home to other shores. But there was
, contrast between Uncle Charles bro
gans and the fair white feet that poet:
describe. But soon poetry, resemblance
| and contrasts were forgotten-ail save
line from sLorG Ullen's Daughter
we Thought that that ''gemman' wouit
: abe left lamenting,' when, with leni
oull and a pull together, Billy Tuck ant
/ his brave fellows drew us safely over tn
) deepest channel, and landed US on n
| other side of Abotalapoota. Our drip
ping locomotive struggled through, an
we were soon ascending the great hi
ON the border line of the highland an
: the valley. The hillsides were beaut
full. in their early spring garb. In
wild flowers, grasses, ferns ana mosssl
> olmost hid from view the crystal brooi
. lets that rippled over the pepoies = !.
each side and wound tneir way On
Abotalapoota' s rushing tide. we We!
in a land of peace, tar from tne TAI
N roads, far from the steampoatss lar nlu'
,s busy commercial hfe-al lano OF suniis1
q all natures own. We neared
C BLACK HAWK.
! In a cataract of sunbeams the vllial
: Law. The long golden ribbors OF =
: skies seemed looping and 1astenins -
= tying bow knots in the green branches ;,
~ the pines on the surrounding MI
W. There we're the residences Ynsre oMe
W so many good people: there the var
Id spread out in all their norai peauI'
ms there the little church, 30 sacred 10
be for its years of religious association
ly and near by the busy mill, as OF yol
re- On the hill the old familiar scnoe
- house, where father and SON had TIN
les and tried again. until success CROWN
their efforts-where the boy nad s1os
as on the burning deck" for forty years
- - more where the little star had tWinki'
e and Masy's little lamb had descend
= from mother to daughter: where blsn,
"a Galloway, in his early days, wore :
- firsr laurel Of tie many that now crov
a, his brow-and later, recently, where 3
mi distinguished candidate for Congft
me suggested the comfortable IDEA q
D. cling prayer. Thus the little villa
rests ii it, emerald setting, while on
distant hills around the blue held-dAls
I-~I<>.. H. u1ox,oa To furuuQ1He Rre<